Testicular torsion in Sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review

Abstract

Abstract Testicular torsion is a surgical emergency caused by rotation of the vascular pedicle of the testicle around its axis. If left untreated, testicular necrosis can set in, necessitating orchiectomy and loss of the testicle. The authors of this article reviewed articles on testicular torsion published in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this work is to establish the patient profile, consultation delay and orchiectomy rate in the sub-Saharan context. Data from the review will be compared with large non-sub-Saharan series and journals. Twenty-three articles were selected for review. All these articles were published between 1985 and 2022. A total of 1410 patients were included in the review. The average age was 19.7 years. The majority of patients were from urban areas. Risk factors for torsion were identified in 9 publications. The mode of hospital admission varied. Acute scrotal pain was the main symptomatology reported. The mean time in hours between onset of symptoms and consultation was 52.5 h. The left side was affected in 46.04% and the right in 49.81%. Four authors reported referral to a health center, and 8 authors reported scrotal ultrasonography. The rate of orchiectomy performed was found in 21 publications, the mean for the review as a whole was 46.4% with extremes of 13.2 and 72%. The orchiectomy rate was 52.4% in studies that reported an initial referral to a health center (patient transfer), versus 36.9% in studies that did not. In studies reporting ultrasound, the orchiectomy rate was 52.5%, compared with 36.9% in those not reporting ultrasound. On the basis of these results, we can formulate the following recommendations and actions: (i) further study of this pathology in sub-Saharan countries; (ii) raise public awareness of this pathology; (iii) train and retrain community workers and health center managers; and (iv) train general practitioners and surgeons in emergency scrototomy, orchidopexy and orchidectomy.